This tune appeared frequently in the lists of competitors at the competitions for prizes given by the Highland Society of London.. It was in Donald Cameron's lists in 1841 and 1844 and Angus MacKay won the prize pipe with it.

It is of unusual construction, as the variations bear no melodic relationship to the ground, and each variation is in 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 time. An alternative setting based on that of Donald MacDonald, rather than that of Angus MacKay has been postulated by Roderick Cannon. The tune has been used by R U Brown to demonstrate how these time signatures are played, and this discussion is available in the "Masters of Piobaireachd" CD series.

The PS book 6 note looks extensively at the tune and it's background, on whether the irregularity is mistaken, or deliberate to show that Scotland and England, "like oil and water" do not mix, or a very early composition before structure was solidified, or whether it was composed by some-one "independent of MacCrimmon influence". It refers to a vague story that the tune was composed by a Lowland piper, though notes that Donald MacDonald says that the tune was composed by "MacCruimen.

Judges Note 2014

Sensitive expression of the ground will be critical in this tune, for example the bar with the three-note groupings in the last line.
R U Brown explains the method of approaching the variations on the 'Masters of Piobaireachd' CD, volume 4. They are timed in 2/4 ('firm in 2s'), 3/4 (strong, medium, strong) and common time (strong, medium, medium, strong). Slight increases in tempo in progressing through each of these might be desirable.